10 Reasons Not To Buy A Bird

[red192]

KUDOS FOR POSTING! I'm printing and sending to a friend who "JUST HAS TO HAVE A BIRD"

[kali]

Can i print this and give it out in my shop? that won'tbreak any laws will it? lol...

[Flockof10]

My 6 fids (all different species and we got them all at different ages and times) do not get along with one another, but yet the provide eachother with 'birdtalk' while I am not home. I always hoped that one or two would get along but not so far.

[Sashagirl]

As a person that does rescue and takes in rehomes.I wish this was posted wherever animals were and that for once people listened.

Very Good GBird!

[phonelady61]

would someone please repost this because I do rescue too and would like to post this in the place where i work . thanks .

[gbird]

Originally Posted by phonelady61

would someone please repost this because I do rescue too and would like to post this in the place where i work . thanks .

Not exactly sure what it is you need. The entire thing is on the first page of this thread. If you still have probs with it let me know and I'll re post it for you. Just copy it and then paste it, or print it out.

[Ashling]

I know a girl who is 17 years old and her dad "promised to get her a macaw" when they move house. She has only ever had budgies, who have died, and she doesn't know any of the implications of getting a large bird! I'm sending this to her now!

[Ashling]

This is what I sent to her, along with this thread's information with full credit to the writer.

"I was just thinking; remember in psychology class ages ago when you told me you wanted a macaw and I easily wrote a page full of points to why you should reconsider!? :D
Please read it all, it's all quite accurate and shows you the pros and cons of bird ownership. I would advise in you getting something smaller than a macaw, for your first larger parrot! (budgies are a small parakeet and considered one of the easiest of all psittacines to care for! While macaws are among the hardest...!)

I've cared for birds of all shapes and sizes for 7 years- a princess parrot, cockatiels, budgies, breeding budgies, finches, lorikeets and quails- and I have done extensive research on parrots since I was ten- more so in the past few months after buying Ashling- and even I don't feel up to the requirements of getting a macaw! If I were you I'd definately consider something smaller. There are many many many species out there that are great pets and have all the great aspects of a macaw, with less mess, noise, problems, size and potential to break a finger when it bites! For your situation I'd recommend a single hand reared male lutino cockatiel. Ringnecks, quakers, lories, grass parakeets, green cheek conures and sun conures are all very good pets with their pros and cons aswell though. Please research them on google!
Getting a macaw is more like getting a two year old child that you will have the rest of your life than getting a new pet. More often than should be, macaws are re-homed due to some of the issues below: (pasted this thread)"

I hope she reconsiders!!!

[bizzymum]

Never give kids a pet. Whether is be a fish, puppy, bird... They tend to get bored after a while and the responsibility falls on the parent. I see this EVERYDAY. "I want to get my kid a pet." I just tell them, get a pet that YOU will love and want just in case the kid does not want to play with it anymore. It is ultimately YOUR responsibility.

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Odysseus

2nd:
"Keeping birds of different species who can provide company if not companionship for one another is a good idea."

Is it considered easier to keep the bond with your individual bird if you choose a second bird that is of a different breed? I am jealous of many of you with a variety of bird companions in your home, and while I may never adopt a dozen like I would like. A second or third is certainly in the plan.

Should I be considering getting a different specie than Tui as a better choice than adding another lovebird someday?

Same species and different species flock dynamics really interest me. I started with a single budgie, then added a cockatiel, and then added another budgie. I've learned just how different species can act and communicate differently (ie, budgies are hyper and in-your-face and tiels are much more laid back). I am glad that we decided to add another small bird when we brought the tiel home - I think it's too risky for myself to add a larger species with my current mix. I'm interested in nearly every species but I also know that I want my birds to be able to hang out outside of the cage in the same room. (I realize that even birds of the same species may not get along too though.)

Adding a 2nd budgie has been wonderful - I agonized so long as to whether or not I wanted to do that (and most of the agonizing was selfish worry that I would lose the bond that I have with Jerry - but in the end I knew it was best for HIM). I have NOT, however, lost any of my bond with him. Both his life and my life have been enriched by adding another budgie. It has made me see that a same species companion is very beneficial. In the event that I do get another bird while my current 3 are still around, I've made up my mind that it would only be another tiel.

What I'm trying to say is that this is where I partially disagree with the author of the article - that having another bird in the house is very beneficial and that a same species bird can have enormous benefits. And I don't necessarily think that having same species birds will lessen the human bond - I don't have a ton of experience with that, but it has not been what I've seen at all with my 3 birds.